Key facts
- US plans to reduce visa processing services in Africa from nearly 50 to 20 diplomatic missions.
- Consular processing will be consolidated into limited regional hubs.
- Non-hub embassies will focus on services for US citizens, emergency assistance, and diplomatic visas.
- The move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten immigration controls.
- Citizens of 11 African countries already face a visa suspension.
The United States is preparing to significantly reduce its visa processing services across Africa, consolidating operations from nearly 50 diplomatic missions to just 20 regional hubs. According to an Associated Press report citing the State Department, US diplomats and consular officials were notified last week about this restructuring. While embassies and consulates not designated as hubs will remain operational, their services will be limited to assisting US citizens, providing emergency consular aid, processing diplomatic visas, and handling select cases deemed to be in the national interest. The State Department stated that these reviews are standard practice to align resources with US priorities. This initiative is part of the broader immigration control measures enacted by the Trump administration. Previously, citizens from 11 African nations already faced a complete suspension of both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.